I decided exactly what make and model I wanted ahead of time so all that was left was the color and price.
For the price I used the free Truecar
Put in the make, model, colors and it will give a bell curve of prices from dealers around your zip, and tell you who they are, with a recommended price to pay.
The dealers (they cite) will go at least as low as the truecar price,and can be talked down more by playing them against each other.
“I decided exactly what make and model I wanted ahead of time so all that was left was the color and price.”
Using the Internet... Yes, and more.
I decided what make and model of new car to buy. What options and color to buy. Which dealership to buy it at, because on their website I could view their entire inventory (including pricing) including cars on their way to the dealership. I researched the value of my trade in.
I walked into the dealership knowing which vehicles (including their stock numbers) to look at, how much to pay, and how much to get for my trade.
Once I made my choice, I only needed the salesman to fill out the paperwork.
My GF wanted a particular new Honda earlier this summer and went to three dealerships in the area, none of which would come of the sticker price by an inch.
She called a small dealer 2 hour drive away and told them what she wanted and what she’d pay. They were happy to sell and even delivered the car to her house on a Saturday morning.